Palestinian groups vow revenge for killings as rockets fall on Israel

July 28, 2014 7:20 P.M. (Updated: July 30, 2014 4:56 P.M.)

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Palestinian militant groups launched dozens of rockets into Israel on Monday evening, after a relative lull in the Israeli assault that began late Sunday ended with the killing of at least 10 Palestinians in the afternoon.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that the strike at al-Shati refugee camp which left eight children dead were a "war crime that provoked the feelings of Muslims on the day of Eid," adding that they were "a result of the silence of the international community."

"It will not break our will," he continued, adding: "The occupation will pay the price."

Islamic Jihad, meanwhile, said that the killing of children by Israel was a "methodical policy of aggression" and that the group would respond with force.

Mortar fire on Monday by Palestinian militant groups killed four Israeli soldiers and injured at least four more.

Militant groups claimed a number of rocket launches, although the majority targeted military sites in or near the Gaza Strip.

The Hamas-affiliated Al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for targeting Israeli military forces east of Beit Hanoun with five 120 mortars, east of Jabaliya with six mortar shells, east of Khuzaa with five 120 mortars, east of Maghazi with eight mortars, east of Juhr al-Dik with five 107 rockets, and the Hashudat military site northeast of Beit Lahiya with four shells.

The Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine, claimed responsibility for the bombing of Beeri kibbutz in Eshkol in southern Israel with 107 rockets, the bombing of Israeli military vehicles east of Jabaliya with six mortar shells, the targeting of Yad Mordechai inside Israel with five 107 rockets, and the targeting of Nahal Oz, also inside Israel, with four 107 missiles.

The group also said it hit Nahal Oz three mortars and struck Ashkelon with a Grad missile.

Sirens arning of incoming rockets were also heard in Haifa, although no group had yet claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Palestinian militant groups say that the rocket fire is in response to the longstanding Israeli occupation and the eight-year old blockade of the Gaza Strip by Israel.

The rocket fire rarely causes damages or injuries inside Israel, although previously three have been killed and about a dozen injured since the beginning of hostilities.

Israel has killed more than 1,050 Palestinians, the majority civilians, since Operation Protective Edge began.